We've probably all experienced the agony of a real hangover from alcohol. Waking up in the morning and feeling a bit off is standard, but if you’ve really overdone it, vomiting, a splitting headache and/or eventually stumbling your way towards the nearest bottle of water isn’t so outlandish. Weed, however is different.
Is the weed hangover real? Some people say yes, others say no. If they are real, however, the symptoms are extremely subtle. Weed, like any other substance, affects individuals differently. While you may be able to smoke three bowls and walk to the grocery store, someone else who consumes the same amount might find themselves still stoned 8 hours later, mindlessly watching TV and guzzling water. But in the interest of providing solutions so that everyone of legal age can consume cannabis without feeling negative effects, here are some helpful tips to consider.
Know Your Limits
It is entirely possible to smoke too much weed. Yes, that Volcano your friend just got is awesome and feels like nothing going down, but ease up if cannabis is new to you. If you haven’t smoked a blunt since high school and find one being passed to you, do NOT smoke the whole thing in one go and expect to feel normal the next day.
Consider the fact that maybe the “spaciness” you’re feeling the next day is residual from the night before. If you know that your tolerance is low, do whatever works to remind yourself to NOT smoke more when you’re already high enough to require sunglasses indoors. Set a reminder on your phone. Write something on your hand... or your face. If you know your limits, you’ll never be “hungover” again.
Timing Is Everything
One particularly inspired Tuesday night decision to eat a pot cookie at 11:30pm could lead to waking up extremely affected the next morning. No one wants to feel the panic of being both late for work and basically non-functional.
Don’t let this happen to you. If you are about to eat an edible, consider the time the edible takes to kick in as well as how long it will stay in your system. If you have more of that edible lying around your house, it might not be the worst idea to hide it. Falling prey to the thought that an edible isn’t strong enough is common, and usually leads to being much higher than intended, and for much longer. Love takes time and so do edibles. Patience is key.
Stay Hydrated
If you wake up the next morning with cottonmouth and a burning desire for an ice-cold beverage, chances are that you probably didn’t drink enough water the night before.
When you’re high, just about any alcohol-free beverage you choose to imbibe is a wonderful decision. And unlike alcohol, weed won’t actually dehydrate you, even if it sometimes causes you to suffer from the dreaded cottonmouth. Long story short, drink water. Drink more water than you think you need. Pee a lot. If you stay hydrated, you won’t feel like you got hit by a ton of bricks the next morning.
Defibrillate Yourself Via Exercise
If you were smart enough to understand your limits the night before, drank your water and avoided eating that second brownie at the stroke of midnight but STILL woke up feeling like your head was filled with cotton balls and marshmallow fluff, a hard reset may be required.
We understand that heading to the gym and hitting the treadmill may not exactly be your number one choice that morning, but moving your body will get the blood flowing and help you feel normal. If intense aerobic exercise isn’t in the cards, go for a brisk walk or do some yoga instead. Your body will thank you.
Step Outdoors
A change of scenery can be just the thing you need if you’re feeling sluggish, and venturing outdoors is the easiest way to jolt your body and mind into alertness. Simply leaving your cannabis den and putting on real shoes feels may feel like an accomplishment, and sometimes it is. Take your perceived accomplishment to the next level by getting some fresh air into your lungs. Feel the breeze on your skin; it’s all going to be okay.
